Hash Code 2017 kicks off on 23rd February with the Online Qualification Round. The top 50 teams from this round will then be invited to Google Paris, in the City of Light, to battle it out for the coveted title of Hash Code 2017 Champion.

To make things even more exciting, students and professionals across the region are signing up to host Hash Code hubs where local teams can come together to compete for the Online Qualification Round. So far, more than 250 hubs are being organized across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Participating from a hub is a great way to meet new people and add a little extra fun and competition to the contest. Don’t see a hub near you? You can still sign up to host a hub in your university, office or city on our website.

Whether you’ve just started coding or you’re a programming competition aficionado, Hash Code is a great chance to flex your programming muscles, get a glimpse into software engineering at Google and have some fun. Take a look at previous Hash Code problem statements to see the engineering challenges participants have tackled in the past.

Teams compete in the 2016 Online Qualification Round from a Hash Code hub

We can’t reveal this year’s problem statements, but we will have some other fun announcements leading up to the Online Qualification Round. Keep in touch with Hash Code by joining our Google+ community and Facebook event.

Are you up for the challenge? Sign up today at g.co/hashcode and we’ll see you online on 23rd February!

Today we’re speaking with a CSSI alumni, Kenechi from the class of 2008 (our first iteration of CSSI) who currently works at Google as a Software Engineer. Below, she shares her experience at CSSI and how it put her on the path to Google. Click here if you're ready to apply to CSSI!

Before CSSI, what was your experience with Computer Science? And why did you apply to the program?

I’ve wanted to write software since my first experience with Word 95 when I was little. I took a course on QBASIC in high school but didn’t have an opportunity to take AP Computer Science because it only had 1 offering a year. I took my first full programming course my first semester at CMU. I applied to CSSI because the program’s description sounded cool and I wanted the opportunity to visit Google’s headquarters.

What was your favorite moment during the program?

The final presentations were a great moment for me. It was amazing how much content was covered in two-and-a-half weeks and how much I had gotten to know the other students.

What's the most important lesson you learned?

The most important lesson of CSSI for me was one of validation. After CSSI a career in software engineering became a reality. For two weeks I was able to see what it was like to be at Google; I had the opportunity to meet and learn from dozens of full-time engineers. Even though I was already a CS major at CMU, CSSI formed the foundation for the rest of my career. It was there that I got the confidence and network necessary to succeed as a software engineer.

How did this help you for college going forward?

There was another CMU student in my CSSI class, after CSSI we started a study group. We would meet daily to study and go to office hours together. It really helped having a study group for the rest of time at CMU, especially as the courses got increasingly difficult.

What was your journey to Google?

My journey to Google started with CSSI. I returned as an intern for back to back summers, the first summer in the Engineering Practicum program. After graduating I worked at Microsoft for over two years and then returned to Google.

How did this prepare you for work? And specifically, how did this prepare you to for Google?

The summer after CSSI I had the opportunity to be an EP intern. My internship helped me to experience what day to day software development would be like. CSSI opened the door to that opportunity. CSSI also introduced me to a whole new network of other computer science majors from across the country; I came to depend on that network as I continued on in my career at both Google and even Microsoft.

Today, we’re catching up with a few of our CSSI students from this past summer. We’ve asked the students to share highlights from their time at CSSI and how the program impacted them for their future academic and professional careers.

Haven is a first year student at University of Arkansas where she’s majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics.

Why did you apply to CSSI?

To be honest, I’d never taken a class in computer science and I didn’t have internet at home, so my only experience is in what I picked up troubleshooting tech problems for teachers and watching videos on Khan Academy. My goal for the summer was to gain some hands on experience with software.

What shocked you the most about the program?

I was surprised that there were so many people like me, I stick out with my family and friends and it was nice to belong. It was nice to develop a community that you can talk to about work, personal life, and share your thoughts because I don’t run into people like that in my day to day. Meeting people that were like me encouraged me to pursue CS.

What’s the most important lesson you learned?

I’m one of six kids, the middle child, single mom, poor family, so I felt like I blended in and didn’t think I was going to go far. I wanted to do amazing things, but I thought it’s not really going to happen. Getting into Google gave me the confidence that I can go far.

Now, Haven is pursuing a double major in Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Arkansas. Great job, Haven!

Jay is a first year student at the University of Alabama where he’s majoring in Computer Science. Below, he shares his thoughts about his three weeks in Cambridge at the CSSI.

How did you become interested in Computer Science and CSSI?

In middle school, I developed a love for technology and was the go-to person at my school who assisted teachers with IT. This combined with my passion for giving back to my community led me to Computer Science. I wanted to pursue a subject where I’m able to build technology that will impact underserved populations and help others.

What was the most important lesson you learned at CSSI?

That it’s best to work in teams. During the project week, I was paired with two other CSSI classmates and together we built a web app. We leaned on each others’ talents to make it possible. Now at school, I meet weekly with my CS classmates preparing for technical interviews and we help each other with internship applications. It’s really helpful because not as many people are as social as I am, but it’s something we can all relate to and can feed off of each others' energy. They’re shooting technical questions at me and telling me what to improve on and I can tell them how to talk to people.

What were you most shocked by?

The amount of talent that I was surrounded by … the instruction and the accelerated students who all had ideas about how they wanted to change the world. I was the only student at my High School who was interested in Computer Science, so being able to come to a place where there are 29 other students who are just like you, interested in the same stuff and they’re thinking about how they can use it to change the world was really meaningful to me.

TheComputer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a three-week introduction to computer science for graduating high school seniors with a passion for technology. Students will learn programming fundamentals directly from Google engineers, get an inside look at some of Google's most exciting, emerging technologies, and even design and develop their very own application with fellow participants.

TheGeneration Google Scholarship helps aspiring computer scientists from underrepresented groups excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive 10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or 5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) for the 2017-2018 school year. As part of the scholarship, current high school seniors who are entering their first year of university in Fall 2017 will be required to attend CSSI in the summer of 2017.

Where & When

We offer two types of sessions at CSSI: commuter and residential. In the residential camps, housing and transportation will be provided. In the day camps, students will be provided with a travel stipend and expected to commute into the respective Google offices for each day of CSSI. Students within a specified mileage distance from the respective day-camp offices will automatically be considered for those sites. The sites will be taking place in Mountain View, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Chicago, IL, New York, NY, Pittsburgh, PA, Atlanta, GA, Cambridge, MA, and Seattle, WA.

Who

We are looking for students eager to spend a few weeks immersed in the Google life -- tackling interestingtechnical problems, working collaboratively and having fun. The program is committed to addressing diversity in the field of computer science and is open to all qualified high school seniors who intend to major in computer science at a four year university in the US or Canada.

Why

Google is committed to increasing the enrollment and retention of students in the field of computer science. These programs offer an intensive, interactive and fun experience that seeks to inspire the tech leaders and innovators of tomorrow. We want students to leave empowered, heading into their first year of college armed with technical skills and a unique learning experience that can only be found at Google. We aim to expose selected students to key programming concepts while enabling them to tackle the challenging problems in CS by creating a safe, comfortable environment to learn, play, break, and build.

Apply

Visit ourGoogle for Education website for more information and to apply. The application deadline is March 2, 2017. Final decisions will be announced in early May.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month*, Google hosted the ‘Pay it Forward’ contest.* In this blog post we’ll have a Q&A with our winners, Oscar Cazalez and Luis Narvaez, showcasing their amazing work that impacts educational access and opportunity for the Hispanic community.

*Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Student Winner: Oscar Cazalez

Based in Chicago, Ill., Oscar is a senior at the Illinois Institute of Technology where he is simultaneously studying toward a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Finance. This year, Oscar worked with 4 peers to form a scholarship fund for undocumented students who don’t qualify for federal aid or student loans. So far, the fund has raised over $11,000 and multiple grants have already been awarded.

Professional Winner: Luis Narvaez

Also based in Chicago, Luis is the Director of Strategic Projects at Chicago Public Schools. Luis came to the US from Mexico when he was 15 and had to learn English as a second language. In his current role, Luis works to develop initiatives like Bilingual Student Access to College and Career Attainment (BACCA), which brings together elementary, middle and high school counselors, college admissions and financial aid representatives, and members of community based organizations focused on college access for underrepresented populations. Luis is currently working toward his Masters in Educational Leadership.

What would people would be surprised to learn about you?

Oscar: When I tell people my story of how I got to the United States, they are usually surprised. But they are truly surprised when I tell them that I am a first generation college student, play Division III Men’s Soccer for my university, and I am finishing my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration while taking classes for my Master in Science of Finance. I am just one of millions of undocumented students who are doing great work in their respective fields.

Luis: I became a US citizen as soon as I was eligible and have had the chance to travel throughout Latin America, Puerto Rico, and parts of Europe. Traveling is one of my biggest passions and I will continue to travel for as long as I can. My wife and I also have raised a beautiful 4 year old since birth as our foster child and will be adopting him very soon.

It sounds like your work requires a lot of time, dedication, and energy. How do you keep it up?

Oscar: My days are always long and I am stressed almost all the time. But I know the importance of taking care of my mental and physical health. When I am not in soccer season, I go to the gym to relieve my stress; I usually do power lifting. I’m lucky that I live in Chicago because I go biking by the Lake during the summer.I know many undocumented students are not open about the immigration status but I am not afraid because I know for a fact that if you’re undocumented and attending college, you have worked and sacrificed so much. At the end of the day, my vision and purpose motivate me to keep going.

Luis: The 3 Fs in my life are my backbone. One F is for family - I am blessed to have a very loving and caring wife, who supports my journey and helps me raise our two boys (3 and 4 years of age), and a mother and father who've been by my side every step of the way. I am also a man of faith, so that's the second F; I believe that we are all connected to spiritual powers beyond our understanding and control, and I like to stay in connection with those forces. The third F is for friends who I have always leaned on for support and advice and who cheer me on every step of the way.

What motivates you to do this work? Why do you think it’s important to pay it forward?

Oscar: My younger undocumented peers motivate me because I was once a student who feared going to college due to my immigration status. I was always told if I worked hard, I could go places but I found out that there are more barriers when you’re undocumented. Growing up, others lent me a helping hand, so I am just doing the same thing for others.

Luis: I think we always need to take a look at our accomplishments and achievements, be thankful for our current position, and pay it forward by helping others get to a similar point. Being selfish is the worst path we can take when we reach success. I come from a community where we care for one another, help each other when there's obstacles in the way, and celebrate others achievements and successes as if they were our own.

Who or what inspires you?

Oscar: My parents are my greatest motivation because they risked everything to give their children a better life and a shot at the American Dream. One day, I want to pay it forward to my parents by buying them a house and helping them financially. It has been a tough journey but I have always let my work ethic speak for itself.

Luis: As a former ESL student who arrived from Mexico at the age of 15 without US citizenship, I give credit for where I am today to all of the educators in high school, undergraduate, and graduate level who believed in me and pushed me to challenge myself.

What’s next for you?

Oscar: My short term goal is to get an internship this upcoming summer and to graduate with a Master of Science in Finance, while continuing to fundraise for the scholarship. Long-term, I plan to work either in banking or the tech sector for about five years before starting my own company. I also want to continue my activist work by creating more resources for students who are in financial need but don’t qualify for aid or loans; motivating students to pursue STEM degrees; and by being a constant advocate for immigrant rights.

Luis: I would like to pursue a PhD. I am very well aware of the lack of educated Latino males in this country and I would like to become a role model for them. I am very interested in pursuing a program in Educational Policy Studies and so I can have positive impact in shaping the future of education in America.